Norfolk Mardle

CME provided the opportunity for four groups of young people in Dereham, Thetford and Ashill to make short films.

The young people were involved with every aspect of the production process from drawing storyboards and writing the scripts to directing and lighting the films alongside industry professionals. The films were shown at a presentation event at Cinema City in Norwich.

One film made by a group of young people from Ashill, called Ashlink, won Best Original Score at Wymondham film festival.

The project was funded by First Light, a nationwide organisation which helps young people, aged between five and 19, make films. To fund projects First Light distributes £1.1 million of National Lottery money, through UK Film Council funding as part of the 'Young Film Fund', each year.

The short films from the project are shown below.

An Interview with Thomas Paine (Deceased)

An Interview with Thomas Paine (Deceased) is an animated experimental documentary by eight to 12 year olds in Thetford about the disappearance of the remains of one of the founding fathers of the United States who was born in the town in 1809.

Ashlink

In Ashlink, a film made by eight to 12 year olds from Ashill, a mutating ink-based virus spreads through their sleepy village and all Megan, Kayleigh and Paige can do is try to survive, which is pretty difficult when your mum's turned into a zombie!

Breckland School for Girls

Breckland School for Girls was made by Girls Allowed, a drop-in group for young women in Dereham, and tells the story of when a missing bracelet causes a chain of events to spiral out of control within a group of friends.

Haunted School

Haunted School is a spine chilling tale of a group of children who meet their match when they explore an empty school, made by 12 to 16 year olds from Thetford.